The Land Cover map shows what is on the surface of the land at one point in 

 time. Most cover type categories are general types of vegetation. However, 

 many alterations of the land's surface by people are also mapped (for example, 

 dumps and large gravel pits) as well as certain non-vegetated natural 

 conditions (barren land). 



The Land Cover map provides a general description of what is happening on the 

 land. Knowledge of the types and distribution of vegetation in a watershed 

 helps in determining characteristics of water flow within the watershed and 

 in analyzing water quality problems related to agriculture and timber 

 harvesting. General assessments can be made concerning the types and extent 

 of wildlife in most areas, since many types of wildlife habitat can be 

 identified. Some specific land cover type categories identify land uses or 

 conditions that may need to be mapped for various planning efforts. These 

 include agricultural land, large gravel pits, transmission lines, and 

 wetlands . 



The Land Cover maps were compiled from a variety of sources. The dates and 

 level of detail of source material vary. All classifications were based on 

 interpretation of the most recently available low-level or high altitude (U-2) 

 aerial photographs. The dates of the photographs vary from 1966 to 1976. 



The following are land cover categories. 



Softwoods (S): naturally forested lands with softwoods comprising over 75% of 

 the crown closure. 



Hardwood (H) : naturally forested lands with hardwood comprising over 75% of 

 the crown closure. 



Mixed Woods (M) : naturally forested lands with neither hardwoods nor 

 softwoods comprising over 75% of the crown closure. 



Agricultural Lands (A) : lands which are being used for production of food for 

 humans or livestock. 



Blueberry Lands (B) : lands predominantly covered with blueberry bushes. 



Other Fields (F) : areas which were used for agriculture but are reverting to 

 a natural vegetation state. 



Orchards (0): land used for the production of fruit. 



Urban Areas (U) : built up areas - hamlets (clusters of 3 or more houses) to 

 cities; includes yards, pavement, schools, churches, industrial sites, 

 and airports. 



Wetlands (W) : areas characterized by waterlogged soils. These soils are 

 either periodically or permanently flooded. They include beaver 

 flowages, bogs, hardwood swamps, tidal flats, salt marshes, and shrub 

 swamps . 



Alders (-.Vv:-) : an area which is predominantly covered by alders. 



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